Review – Yom Kippur as Manifest in an Approaching Dorsal Fin

Disclaimer: I received this book free from Smithcraft Press in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive any form of compensation.

Growing up in a religiously open home, I learned about the basics of various holidays and religious practices. I remember having a friend in Elementary school named Michael H. He would try to explain the various holidays and what they meant. Yom Kippur was one that was explained, but since we were both children, the explanation was extremely rudimentary.

For some reason, this had been one Jewish holy day that I never really learned too much about, even as an adult. So when I found this book on NetGalley, I definitely wanted to read it.

Interestingly enough, this author lives in Florida as well. Not that it really makes much difference, but it was just an interesting fact that I noticed. Especially when he was talking about the shark just off shore while he was at the beach.

I loved the variety of ways in which Adam showcased various Jewish traditions and culture. Most of which were anecdotal stories that showed how families react to certain things such as handling grief while sitting shiva. Some of these things I have experienced myself while with friends who are Jewish. Others I had no knowledge of prior to reading this book.

There were quite a few things that really stood out to me. I didn’t know that certain people were exempt from fasting for things other then age. I had already known babies and the elderly were exempt. I didn’t know that the Talmud actually allows those with certain medical conditions to be exempt as well. I also didn’t know that the dead were not embalmed.

I really loved being able to learn various facts. I also loved learning that Yom Kippur is a holy day in which we forgive others for wronging us, we ask to be forgiven for wronging others, we also ask for forgiveness for wronging ourselves.

When you think about it the way the author describes, it really does make sense to do this every year since our time here on Earth is extremely limited and is over in the blink of an eye as compared to the actual existence of the Earth itself.

I also liked that we did not have to confront the people in order to forgive or ask forgiveness. We just needed to include it in a prayer in order for the forgiveness to be given or received.

I think that even though I am not Jewish, I will be making this an annual practice since it seems like a truly remarkable thing to do to help cleanse the soul.